Dyeing machine with double dye solution spreading arrangement

ABSTRACT

A dyeing machine comprises a roller mechanism, a nozzle mechanism having two nozzles, a fabric guide mechanism, wherein fabric is dyed twice. The degree of impingement on fabric is predetermined with respect to respective specific type of fabric, resulting in a more uniform dyeing as well as a shortening of process time and solution cycle. Moreover, the fabric guide tube may be upwardly, horizontally, or downwardly adjusted in order to obtain a better quality of respective specific fabric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a dyeing machine with double dyesolution spreading arrangement.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Conventionally, dyeing is performed in a high temperatureenvironment. Also, the quality of fabric is mainly affected by dyesolution (i.e., dye solved in water) spreading, soaking, and fabricguide. In general, the dyeing arrangement of one specific fabric isdifferent from the other one. In detail, firstly with respect to dyesolution spreading, a large low pressure smooth dye solution is requiredin order to minimize the impinging effect of dye solution on theprocessed high quality fabric, otherwise it may cause crack or the like.To the contrary, a strong quick dye solution is required to spread onfabric having constituents such as polyester or the like in order toeffectively flatten the surface thereof, thus preventing crack or thelike. Secondly with respect to socking, a plurality of times of soakingmay obtain a better dyeing quality as compared to single soaking.Thirdly with respect to fabric guide, an impinging on thin looselytextured fabric is preferred. Also, an loosening rather than impingingon cotton-based fabric is preferred. Moreover, a squeezing is requiredfor manufacturing a wrinkled fabric.

[0005] A conventional dyeing machine comprises only a single nozzle. Itis disadvantageous for poor uniformity and relatively long dyeing time.Further, with respect to dye solution spreading, a large strong dyesolution is fed from pump. A sufficient time for spreading dye solutionon fabric is not possible. Thus, such strong impingement on fabric mayadversely affect the quality thereof. This is not suitable for highquality fabric. With respect to fabric guide, the arrangement of fabricguide (e.g., guide angle) is fixed, i.e., not readily adapted toparticular requirements of specific type of fabric. Thus the applicationis limited. Thus, it is desirable to provide an improved dyeing machinein order to overcome the above drawbacks of prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a dyeingmachine, wherein fabric is dyed twice by the double nozzle arrangementresulting in a more uniform dyeing as well as a shortening of processtime and solution cycle.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the fabric guide tube maybe upwardly, horizontally, or downwardly adjusted in order to obtain abetter quality of respective specific fabric. For example, when fabricguide tube is rotated downwardly to form a V, fabric may be squeezed infabric guide tube. When fabric guide tube is rotated upwardly to form anA, fabric may be impinged by dye solution in the fabric guide tube.Moreover, fabric guide tube may be slightly adjusted horizontally toloosen fabric.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, the silicone stripsare capable of significantly reducing the slippage between roller andfabric for preventing potential breakage of fabric from occurring. Thisprovision is particularly suitable to fabric having short yarn. Incontrast, it is possible to detach silicone strips from roller, thusexposing the smooth surface of roller. This tolerates a large slippagebetween roller and fabric. This configuration is particularly suitableto fabric having long yarn.

[0009] The above and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view in part section of a firstpreferred embodiment of dyeing machine with double dye solutionspreading arrangement according to the invention;

[0011]FIG. 1A is a sectional view of roller in FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of FIG. 1 nozzle mechanism and fabricguide mechanism;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 where fabric guide tubemechanism is adjusted to form a gable shape;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a front nozzle device shown in FIG.2;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a rear nozzle device shown in FIG.2;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 wheretransmission mechanism is mounted in fabric guide tube mechanism;

[0017]FIG. 7A is side view schematically showing the upward adjustmentof fabric guide tube;

[0018]FIG. 7B is view similar to FIG. 7A where fabric guide tube ishorizontally adjusted;

[0019]FIG. 7C is view similar to FIG. 7A where fabric guide tube isdownward adjusted;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view of a second preferredembodiment of dyeing machine according to the invention; and

[0021]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of transmission mechanism shown in FIG.8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a dyeing machine constructedin accordance with the invention. The dyeing machine comprises a rollermechanism 1, a nozzle mechanism 2, a fabric guide mechanism 3, a fabricvibration mechanism 4, a fabric separation mechanism 5, a tensionadjustment mechanism 6, and a bubble separation mechanism 7. Each ofabove mechanisms is detailed below. An endless fabric 8 is conveyed froma source (not shown) to nozzle mechanism 2 by roller mechanism 1. Fabric8 is dyed by jetted dye solution from nozzle mechanism 2 and by therotation of fabric guide mechanism 3. Then the dyed fabric 8 is sent tofabric vibration mechanism 4 and fabric separation mechanism 5 forseparating fabric from dye solution. Thus fabric 8 is folded to sent tofabric channel 50 by vibration. Also, the separated dye solution isdirected to a storage 51. Dye solution may be outputted to inlet 52 ofpump P prior to pumping to nozzle mechanism 2 again through supply line9. This is a cycle of dye solution. Tension adjustment mechanism 6comprises an adjustment roller 60 for adjusting the tension betweenfabric 8 and roller mechanism 1. Bubble separation mechanism 7 consistsof a bubble reservoir 71 and a bubble outlet 72. Bubble is automaticallydirected to bubble reservoir 71, thus separating fabric 8 from bubble.This can prevent fabric 8 from being polluted by bubble or prevent otherirregularities from occurring.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2, roller mechanism 1 comprises aroller 10 formed of stainless steel. A plurality of equally spaceddetachable silicone strips 11 are mounted around roller 10. Siliconestrips 11 may significantly reduce the slippage between roller 10 andfabric 8 for preventing potential breakage of fabric 8 from occurring.Thus, this provision is particularly suitable to fabric having shortyarn. In contrast, it is possible to detach silicone strips 11 fromroller 10, thus exposing the smooth surface of roller 10. This toleratesa large slippage between roller 10 and fabric 8. Thus, thisconfiguration is particularly suitable to fabric having long yarn.Nozzle mechanism 2 is configured to have two nozzles (e.g., front nozzledevice 20 and rear nozzle device 40). Both nozzle devices 20 and 40 haveone end coupled to a common outlet of supply line 9, i.e., dye solutionis distributed to both nozzle devices 20 and 40. As to front nozzledevice 20, it comprises a nozzle seat 23 provided at end portion of thefront nozzle device 20, a nozzle tube 22 having a cone-shaped section221 connected with the nozzle seat 23, a high pressure chamber 21enclosing the whole circumference of the nozzle tube 22 and a nozzle 24,formed between the nozzle seat 23 and the nozzle tube 22, having acone-shaped member 231 by securing the front nozzle seat 23 to asolution tube 25. High pressure chamber 21 is coupled to solution tube25 which is further coupled to rear nozzle device 40. Dye solution fedfrom solution tube 25 to nozzle 24 is further pressurized through highpressure chamber 21 in order to spread on fabric 8 coming from guidehole 230 to pipe 220. This is a first jet stream of dye solution. Ajoint 26 is coupled between high pressure chamber 21 and fabric guidemechanism 3. Similarly, rear nozzle device 40 comprises a nozzle seat 43provided at end portion of the rear nozzle device 40, a nozzle tube 42having a cone-shaped section 421 connected with the nozzle seat 43, ahigh pressure chamber 21 enclosing the whole circumference of the nozzletube 42 and a nozzle 44, formed between the nozzle seat 43 and thenozzle tube 42, having a cone-shaped member 431 by securing the rearnozzle seat 43 to a solution tube 45. High pressure chamber 41 iscoupled to solution tube 45 which is further coupled to front nozzledevice 20. Dye solution fed from solution tube 45 to nozzle 44 isfurther pressurized through high pressure chamber 41 to spread on fabric8 coming from guide hole 430 to pipe 420. This is a second jet stream ofdye solution. Hence, fabric 8 is dyed twice, resulting in a more uniformdyeing as well as a shortening of process time and solution cycle.Moreover, a joint 46 and a flange seat 47 are coupled to the sides ofhigh pressure chamber 41 respectively. A fixing seat 422 is provided atnozzle tube 42 for fastening to a rear bearing 48 of fabric vibrationmechanism 4. Fabric guide mechanism 3 comprises a bent fabric guide tube30, a front bearing 31, a joint 36 coupled to front nozzle device 20, arear toothed wheel 32, a flange 321, and a shaft 33 for rotating thetoothed wheel 32. Thus, it is possible to adjust the orientation offabric guide tube 30 when a specific fabric is dyed, resulting in abetter quality of fabric. As shown in FIG. 2, fabric guide tube 30 issubstantially shaped as V. This may squeeze the fabric during the fabricguide process. Flange 321 is threadedly secured to flange seat 47. Asealing 322 is provided in flange 321. In the front bearing 31, a screw312 is driven through bearing housing 34 containing a plurality ofrollers for securing the bearing housing 34 to plate 35. Plate 35 isfixed to joint 26. A second sealing 351 is provided in joint 36. Thisforms a rotational mechanism.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, where fabric guide tube 30 is rotated upwardby a transmission mechanism to form a gable shape. Also, FIG. 4 is asectional view of the front nozzle device 20. FIG. 5 is a sectional viewof the rear nozzle device 40. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken alongline A-A of FIG. 2 where transmission mechanism is mounted in fabricguide tube 30. Toothed wheel 32 is driven by shaft 33 through speedreduction device 331 and bearing seat 332. Thus the orientation (e.g.,angle) of fabric guide tube 30 may be suitably adjusted. FIGS. 7A, 7Band 7C are side views schematically showing the upward, horizontal, anddownward adjustment of fabric guide tube 30 respectively. Theseadjustments of fabric guide tube 30 are desirable to obtain a betterquality of respective specific fabric. For example, when fabric guidetube 30 is rotated downwardly to form a V, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7A,fabric may be squeezed in fabric guide tube 30. This is particularlyapplicable to knitting in which wrinkles are required to form thereon.Similarly, when fabric guide tube 30 is rotated upwardly to form an A,as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7C, fabric may be impinged by solution in fabricguide tube 30. This is particularly applicable to thin loosely texturedfabric. Also, fabric guide tube 30 may be slightly adjustedhorizontally, as shown in FIG. 7B, to loosen fabric such as cotton-basedone.

[0025]FIG. 8 is a second preferred embodiment of dyeing machineaccording to the invention. As shown, a double arrangement of nozzlemechanisms 2 and 2′, fabric guide mechanisms 3 and 3′, and fabricvibration mechanisms 4 and 4′ is implemented. Also, supply line 9 is influid communication with a pipe 91 which feeds dye solution to bothnozzle mechanisms 2 and 2′. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of transmissionmechanism shown in FIG. 8. As shown, a pair of worm gears s1 and s2 areformed on shaft 33. Thus toothed wheel 32 (or 32′) and fabric guide tube30 (or 30′) may be driven by worm gear s1 (or s2) when shaft 33 isrotated.

[0026] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by meansof specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could bemade thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dyeing machine comprising: a roller mechanismincluding a roller; a nozzle mechanism including a front nozzle deviceand a rear nozzle device both coupled to a common supply line; and afabric guide mechanism coupled to an end of a front joint and a rearjoint, said fabric guide mechanism including a bent fabric guide tube, afront bearing, a joint means coupled to said front nozzle device, a reartoothed wheel, a flange seat, a flange threadedly secured to said flangeseat, and a shaft for rotating said rear toothed wheel for adjustingsaid angle of said fabric guide tube, a first sealing in said flange, abearing housing containing a plurality of rollers, a plate fixed to saidfront joint, and a second sealing in said rear joint wherein saidbearing housing is secured to said plate to from a rotational mechanism;so that an orientation of a bent fabric guide tube of the fabric guidemechanism can be adjusted downwardly to form a “V” style making fabricbeing squeezed in the fabric guide tube, or adjusted upwardly to form a“A” style making fabric being impinged by a solution in the fabric guidetube, or slightly adjusted horizontally to loosen fabric in the fabricguide tube to obtain a better quality of respective specific fabric. 2.The dyeing machine of claim 1, wherein said front nozzle devicecomprises a front high pressure chamber coupled to a solution tube whichis coupled to said rear nozzle device, a front nozzle tube having acone-shaped section, a front nozzle seat having a cone-shaped member toform a front nozzle device by securing said front nozzle seat to saidsolution tube, thereby jetting a first stream of dye solution from saidfront nozzle device, and a front joint having one end coupled to saidfront high pressure chamber.
 3. The dyeing machine of claim 1, whereinsaid rear nozzle device comprises a rear high pressure chamber coupledto said solution tube which is coupled to said front nozzle device, arear nozzle tube having a cone-shaped section, a rear nozzle seat havinga cone-shaped member to form a rear nozzle device by securing said rearnozzle seat to said solution tube, thereby jetting a second stream ofdye solution from said rear nozzle device, a rear joint coupled to oneside of said rear high pressure chamber, a flange seat coupled to saidother side of said rear high pressure chamber, and a fixing seat at saidrear nozzle tube.
 4. The dyeing machine of claim 1, wherein each of saidnozzle mechanism and said fabric guide mechanism has a doubleconfiguration.
 5. The dyeing machine of claim 1, further comprising apair of worm gears on said shaft, a pair of toothed wheels coupled tosaid worm gears, and a pair of fabric guide tubes coupled to saidtoothed wheeled so that each of said toothed wheels and said coupledfabric guide tube are capable of being driven by said coupled worm gearwhen said shaft is rotated.
 6. The dyeing machine of claim 1, furthercomprising a fabric vibration mechanism having a rear bearing fastenedto said rear nozzle tube; a fabric separation mechanism; a tensionadjustment mechanism; and a bubble separation mechanism.
 7. The dyeingmachine of claim 1, wherein said roller is formed of stainless steelhaving a plurality of equally spaced detachable silicone strips formedtherearound.